13-8-2023 (SINGAPORE) A somber cloud has descended upon the climbing community as news emerges of a Singaporean climber’s unfortunate demise during an expedition to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Responding to inquiries, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) conveyed on Sunday (Aug 13) that the ministry has been actively providing consular assistance and unwavering support to the grieving family of the deceased individual.
“MFA extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”
The identity of the climber has been disclosed by a close friend as Darrel Phee Chin Ann, aged 28.
A telling Facebook post from the local travel agency Adventures Unlimited, dated Aug 2, showcased a spirited group of adventurers at Changi Airport, accompanied by the rallying cry, “Get ready to join us on this thrilling journey as we attempt not only the highest peak in Africa but also our own limits!”
An entry within the agency’s exclusive Facebook group recounted that Mr. Phee’s oxygen saturation plummeted drastically, and his heart rate surged during the early hours of the summit ascent. This worrisome development prompted a pivotal decision: Mr. Phee would forgo scaling the mountain and, in accordance with safety protocols, he retreated to base camp accompanied by a guide.
Despite these precautionary measures, Mr. Phee’s altitude sickness showed no signs of abating, and the situation took a tragic turn. He succumbed to asphyxiation and high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), as reported by 8World.
HAPE, a perilous ailment, arises when fluid infiltrates the lungs, impeding the efficient exchange of oxygen into the bloodstream.
A research article from the United States National Library of Medicine published in 2012 underscored that HAPE holds the grim distinction of being “the most common cause of death related to high altitude.”
Mount Kilimanjaro, towering at an imposing 5,895 meters, is heralded as Africa’s loftiest summit. While it beckons adventure enthusiasts, the rigors are not to be underestimated. “More than 50 per cent of climbers grapple with mountain sickness, given that this constitutes an arduous high-altitude mountain trek,” as highlighted by the Climbing Kilimanjaro website.
Instances of fatalities on Mount Kilimanjaro are rare, boasting a probability of less than 1 per cent, as underscored in a Facebook statement from Adventures Unlimited.
However, the agency has candidly acknowledged that a combination of factors such as extreme altitude, adverse weather conditions, the individual climber’s physical condition, and the inherent challenges of the journey could cumulatively contribute to tragic outcomes.
The month of May had witnessed another tragic incident involving a Singaporean climber, Shrinivas Sainis Dattatraya, who went missing subsequent to successfully reaching the pinnacle of Mount Everest. His wife revealed that he had fallen victim to High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), a severe ailment triggered by high altitudes that can lead to exhaustion and a loss of coordination. In his case, he was unable to make the descent back.
Despite concerted search and rescue efforts, Mr. Dattatraya could not be located, leaving the climbing fraternity grappling with the poignant reminder of the inherent risks that accompany these lofty quests.
